14.11.1996

Indian communists look to SLP

In a remarkable rally in London last weekend, a whole array of British and Indian Stalinists threw their support behind Arthur Scargill and the Socialist Labour Party.

The event, organised by the ‘Committee to Celebrate the October Revolution’, was called to “uphold the banner of communism” and featured the SLP president as the main speaker. Playing to his audience, comrade Scargill spoke of his early membership of the Young Communist League and, referring cryptically to “the setback of the past 10 or 15 years”, he said: “It would be a foolish man or woman to suggest the USSR was a failure.”

Going all out to counter the notion that the SLP could be linked in any way to reformism, Arthur recounted how the party was under attack from both the right and the left:

“From the right, because we want to abolish capitalism; from the left, because we want to stand candidates in elections. Contrary to popular belief, our party is a Marxist party.”

Quoting phrases about “extra-parliamentary action” from the SLP’s policy documents, he dismissed the idea that Socialist Labour hoped to win power through elections. “If that man from the MI5 is here,” said Arthur theatrically, “get this down.”

To further strengthen his credentials as a hardened revolutionary who wanted to “win through direct action”, the SLP president praised the actions of the peace women acquitted of damaging aircraft destined for Indonesia, and those of the environmental protesters who dug up the grounds of Michael Heseltine’s home. He spoke approvingly of battle-ready French demonstrators who “all seem to ride motorbikes” and, referring obliquely to the Great Miners’ Strike, he said: “1984 demonstrated you can take on the state and win.”

The 300-strong audience warmed to him as he outlined various SLP policies: “We will renationalise the privatised companies without paying one single penny in compensation.” Furthermore the SLP would “take into common ownership the banks, the City institutions, the engineering and car companies ...”

The party would implement a four-day week without loss of pay and establish a free NHS at the time of need. It would “put on the table the negotiation of the central question of a united Ireland”.

Comrade Scargill received a standing ovation from the largely Indian audience, and responded with clenched fist salutes. He triumphantly clasped the hands of those alongside him on the platform - Harpal Brar, the editor of Lalkar, and Avtar Jouhl, the general secretary of the Indian Workers Association, who chaired the rally.

Earlier the audience was treated to speech after speech extolling the virtues of the Soviet Union and North Korea. Martin Gray of the ‘Communist Party of Britain (Marxist-Leninist)’ reminded us how the USSR “under the leadership of Stalin held off the worse that imperialism could throw at it”. Adding a new twist to the theory of ‘socialism in one country’, he outlined the ‘benefits’ of self-dependence: “We don’t need foreign investment; we don’t need the import and export of capital.”

A speaker from Red Youth spoke of “the delight of imperialism that Nikita Khrushchev came to power”. Surreally, he recalled how the 1936 Soviet constitution outlawed immigration controls and racism.

Ella Rule of the Communist Workers Association reported on her recent trip as member of a delegation to North Korea: “The Democratic Peoples Republic of North Korea is a haven of common sense, calm and practicality,” she informed us, explaining how socialism meant that people were always nice to each other. Harpal Brar attacked all who did not support the “Soviet experience” as “enemies of the working class”, while Jim Hillier of the Communist Action Group went further: “The attack on Marxism begins with the attack on Stalin.”

After two hours of such ‘inspiring’ rhetoric, elements in the audience began to display some impatience and one person could restrain himself no longer. As comrade Hillier spoke of “the October Revolution, led by Lenin ...” he heckled: “... and betrayed by Stalin”. Hillier, who is renowned for his sparkling repartee, instantly retorted: “Fuck off.”

Other Stalin fans to speak were Trevor Rayne of the Revolutionary Communist Group and a representative of the ‘Communist Party of Turkey (Marxist-Leninist)’.

The audience also applauded the brother of Satpal Ram, jailed 10 years ago for stabbing a racist attacker. A leader of the Hillingdon hospital strikers gave a stirring speech, in which she emphasised that they were fighting on behalf of the whole working class. Describing how the cleaners were faced with a huge pay cut and loss of rights and union representation over a year ago, she said:

“We are the working class. We need unions. The trust won’t treat 75-year olds, but they are the same as us - working class. We are defending the working class and the health service. This is not the fight of women, or of Asians, or for ourselves - it is the workers against the bosses.”

There were many other positive aspects to the rally - not least its anti-Labourism - despite the overbearing Stalinism of most of the speakers. Harpal Brar recalled how the Great Miners’ Strike was “betrayed - defeated by the Labour Party”. He slammed those on the left who call for a Labour vote despite all its betrayals.

Avtar Jouhl, in concluding the rally, reinforced this message: “Don’t vote New Labour. Arthur has said that the SLP is a Marxist party.” He added that those who wished to join the party could get an application form from comrade Scargill. Unfortunately, it appears that the SLP president had not liaised with the local party organisation, and there were no Socialist News sellers and no SLP stall.

The most positive aspect arising from the rally is that a substantial section of the Indian community looks set to abandon its introversion in order to take up a more important role in British working class politics. Prior to the rally Arthur Scargill had discussed membership of the SLP with leaders of the Indian Workers Association and the Association of Indian Communists. He is reported to have said that there would be “no problem” about IWA members joining the party, as it is “an anti-imperialist organisation” which contains Labour supporters and even Tories. However, he could not make an exception for the AIC. “If I let one in, I’ll have to let in them all.” The AIC is thought likely to discuss how best it can allow its present members to join without contravening the SLP draft constitution.

Such an influx of members would undoubtedly provide a big boost to the SLP-led break from Labour. Their entry into the party will give SLP communists the opportunity to begin the long process of prising away the more positive elements of those who still cling to their illusory Stalinist mainstay.

Alan Fox